He was one of the young white Chicagoans who fell in love with jazz as a result of hearing King Oliver's band (with Louis Armstrong on second cornet) at the Lincoln Gardens in Chicago in the early 1920s. Oliver's drummer, Baby Dodds, made a particular and lasting impression upon Wettling. [1]
Wettling went on to work with the big bands of Artie Shaw, Bunny Berigan, Red Norvo, Paul Whiteman, and even Harpo Marx: but he was at his best (and will be best remembered) for his work in small 'hot' bands led by Eddie Condon, Muggsy Spanier, and himself. In these small bands, Wettling was able to demonstrate the arts of dynamics and responding to a particular soloist that he had learned from Baby Dodds.
Towards the end of his life, Wettling (like his friend the clarinetist Pee Wee Russell) took up painting, and was much influenced by the American cubist Stuart Davis. He has been quoted as remarking that "jazz drumming and abstract painting seemed different from him only from the point of view of craftsmanship: in both fields he felt rhythm to be decisive". [2]
However, good as Wettling's painting was he will be best remembered for his rattling, cavernous sound at the drums -especially with Eddie Condon's bands.
Honeysuckle Rose
George Wettling Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When they see you out with me.
Goodness knows
You're my honeysuckle rose
When you're passin' by flowers droop and sigh,
And I know the reason why.
Goodness knows
You're my honeysuckle rose
Don't buy sugar,
You just have to touch my cup.
You're my sugar.
It's sweeter when you stir it up.
When I'm taking sips from your tasty lips
Seems the honey fairly drips.
Goodness knows
You're my honeysuckle rose
Goodness knows
You're my honeysuckle rose
Don't buy sugar,
You just have to touch my cup.
You're my sugar.
It's sweeter when you stir it up.
When I'm taking sips from your tasty lips
Seems the honey fairly drips.
Goodness knows
You're my honeysuckle rose
The lyrics of George Wettling's Honeysuckle Rose describes the singer's love for someone who is loved and admired by others, comparing them to a honeysuckle rose. The opening line, "Every honey bee fills with jealousy, when they see you out with me" portrays the singer's pride in being with someone who is the envy of others. The second verse explains how the presence of the person causes even flowers to droop and sigh, further emphasizing their beauty and charm.
The chorus, "Goodness knows you're my honeysuckle rose" is a declaration of love and affection towards this person, highlighting their exceptional presence in the singer's life. The following verse, "Don't buy sugar, you just have to touch my cup. You're my sugar, it's sweeter when you stir it up" is a metaphorical expression of the singer's dependence on the person. The line "when I'm taking sips from your tasty lips, seems the honey fairly drips" describes how the singer feels when they're sharing an intimate moment with this person, revealing the depth of their passion.
Overall, the lyrics of Honeysuckle Rose portray a deep love and admiration for someone who is exceptionally beautiful and charming. It's a song about love and intimacy, describing the passion and adoration that consumes the singer's heart when they're with this person.
Line by Line Meaning
Every honey bee fills with jealousy,
There is no sweeter person than you, and it makes everyone else envious.
When they see you out with me.
People are jealous of me too because I have you by my side.
Goodness knows
It's true beyond a doubt that
You're my honeysuckle rose
You are my beloved and cherished partner, so sweet and lovely.
When you're passin' by flowers droop and sigh,
The world seems to react to your beauty by wilting in comparison.
And I know the reason why.
I understand the cause, for I feel that way myself.
Don't buy sugar,
You don't need to spend money on a sweetener.
You just have to touch my cup.
Your touch alone can make everything sweeter.
You're my sugar.
You are the essence of sweetness and joy in my life.
It's sweeter when you stir it up.
Everything is better and more satisfying when we are together.
When I'm taking sips from your tasty lips
When I am enjoying your kiss and your company
Seems the honey fairly drips.
It feels as though every moment with you is overflowing with happiness and love.
Goodness knows
It's true beyond a doubt that
You're my honeysuckle rose
You are my beloved and cherished partner, so sweet and lovely.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: IRVING CAESAR, JOSEPH MEYER, ROGER WOLFE KAHN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Trombonology Erstwhile
If you get guys of this calibre together, great music will result. My favorite trumpeter, my favorite trombonist ... both Fats and Dick McDonough are easily in my Top Three for their respective instruments ... and Wettling is no slouch in my book. Bunny and TD weren't speaking at the time of this session; according to George Wettling: "They’d had a row over something or other, but that didn’t stop them talking to each other with their horns!" As pleasing as his ballad style is, it's nice to hear Tommy playing jazz. Both Bunny and Fats are magnificent and McDonough turns in one of his snazziest solos. ... Sad to think that in less than seven years, three of these young participants -- McDonough, Berigan, Waller -- would be dead.
Alex Pangman
Wow, good and sad observation. They all lived a pretty fast life with lots of booze and not a great lifestyle. But holy heck the music sounded great!!!!
Dan Seager
As a trombonist myself, I've loved TD's playing since I was 10 (my parents bought me a double record set called "This is Tommy Dorsey"). A couple years ago, soon after I turned 51, I realized that I've now lived longer than he did. Hopefully I'll play half as well as he did when I grow up.
C Porter
According to October 15th 1942's Issue of Downbeat, reviewers classify this session as Hot Jazz. I'm torn honestly. It really sounds like true, hot jazz at sections, while pure Dixie in other sections.
Trombonology Erstwhile
@C Porter Well, the offenders (if they can be called that), Dorsey and Wettling, might have winced at "Dixie," preferring trad to describe their stylistic leanings. Bunny, Fats and McDonough are hot. Of course, music can be two things at once, most trad was hot.
Paul Brewer
LOVE this!
A.K.
1:33-1:49 this part is golden
Ron Y
THANKS.